If your skin is a mix of dehydrated and oily, you're going to benefit from a moisturiser designed to tend to its combination of needs. It can be very tricky finding a product that softens dry or sensitive areas without greasiness, but fear not; there are bags of excellent creams and gels that will leave your face feeling protected, plumped and youthful during winter and summer.
Our handy guide will school you on which ingredients to look for, including those for clearing acne, slowing ageing and minimising pores, as well as that all-important SPF. From drugstore to dermatologist-recommended and high-end treats, brands like Clinique, Paula's Choice, Origins and The Ordinary all offer superb options to keep that pesky combo skin looking its finest!
Quick List - Top Moisturisers for Combination Skin
Ole Henriksen
A Brightening, Bestselling Gel Full of Anti Oxidants
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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Table of Contents
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Let's think about exactly what makes a good moisturiser, and how those qualities apply to combination skin. With our user-friendly buying guide, you should be able to easily navigate the online shelves and snap yourself up a product that will become a firm favourite in the bathroom cabinet for years to come!
Combination skin means certain areas are oily while others lack moisture and feel dry, although this does vary from person to person and you may need to experiment a bit to find your match.
If your skin is largely greasy with patches of dryness, go for a gel moisturiser. Water-based and extremely lightweight, they absorb seamlessly without adding extra oil to what's naturally present. The skin will be hydrated without leaving behind an unpleasant residual layer, which is ideal if you want to avoid shine on your T-zone.
Perhaps the opposite is true, and your skin is somewhat oily but mainly thirsty for moisture? In that case, you're better off looking for a cream or lotion aimed at combination skin. They will contain oils, but don't panic, they will effectively nourish dehydrated skin without overwhelming the areas that produce high levels of sebum.
The election of a moisturising formula (or vehicle) depends on the skin type and personal preference. In principle, the less oily the formula, the more tolerable it is and constant use is higher. Given the higher content of oil in its formulation, drier skin benefits from the use of lotions and creams, whilst oily skin should stick to gels or serums, that contain little fat.
The key to purchasing a moisturiser for combination skin is to narrow down exactly which ingredients are the most likely to soften your skin, and which ones will prevent it from become too greasy. Once you've learned what to look out for you'll be better placed to select the perfect product for you.
Hyaluronic acid (often seen on ingredients lists as sodium hyaluronate, its water-soluble salt form) is an excellent hydrator for skin prone to a mix of oil and dryness. It pre-exists in the body as a lubricant and helps skin to hold water in, creating a plump, dewy appearance without being heavy or overly intense.
Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide or vitamin B3) is another miracle ingredient for combination skin types as it is not only deeply moisturising to older, less-hydrated skin but also has the power to decongest blemish-prone skin and fight acne effectively. A perfect pick if your skin is beginning to age but continues to break out in spots.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) can bind moisture in up to 1000 times its own weight when topically applied, making your skin appear plumper, dewier, and more hydrated after each use. It also helps the skin heal after injury.
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 with sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great agent for the control of acne lesions. It also has anti-ageing properties and offers some level of UV protection.
If your combination skin is fairly manageable and can hold oils without becoming overly clogged, try a light cream enriched with glycerin, plant butters like shea butter or fruit oils such as avocado.
These are deeply nourishing, but take note they're better suited to skin that leans more to the drier end of the scale. Therefore, we'd say they're probably best avoided if you regularly notice an oily buildup on your skin and want something to efficiently moisturise your whole face.
Many factors are involved in how a particular oil or butter impacts your skin. Everyone’s skin is different, so the oil will impact different people in different ways. However, there are some general guidelines: People with oily skin should avoid coconut oil, wheat germ oil, and others that are high in oleic fatty acids.
Oils such as grape seed oil, rosehip, evening primrose, guava and jojoba are high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid with anti-ageing, barrier protective, soothing, and balancing properties, which makes it a very suitable element for oily and acne-prone skin.
There are certain ingredients found in moisturisers for normal skin that you can skip entirely if your complexion mixes dryness with greasiness. From contents that suit certain skin types (just not yours!) to ingredients some may consider harmful or irritating, knowing which to avoid will help you hone in on a top-notch product.
Just as with haircare products, some people find that silicone-based facial moisturisers leave a heavy film on the skin. Rather than simply freshening its appearance, these can make it look shiny, so skip the silicones if you want a lightweight lotion that plumps your complexion without buildup.
Parabens are also a common ingredient which some people choose to avoid. Though there is very minimal evidence that they can lead to cancers and other healthcare issues, if you are concerned, a quick glance at the ingredients list is all you need – or, better yet, just check the spec tables in our top 10!
Lastly, simple alcohols (such as ethanol or propanol) can be drying to the skin, so if your combination complexion errs on the dehydrated side, pick a moisturiser free from them. Likewise, a fragrance-free option, which usually incorporates aromatic alcohols like benzyl alcohol, is a brilliant choice to limit irritation and redness if you have sensitive skin.
There is a lot of controversy and misinformation regarding the use of alcohol and fragrances in skincare. The truth is that not alcohols are bad and avoiding all alcohols is close to impossible.
Moreover, some products require the use of fragrances to mask the unpleasant scent they might otherwise have and would detract people from applying them on a continuous basis.
If you have a story of sensitive skin or atopic dermatitis, it is advisable to stick to fragrance-free products. To identify fragrant ingredients, look out for other words in the ingredient list like eugenol, geraniol, citronellol, linalool and limonene.
If you're trying to avoid the greasy film that can lead to blackheads and blemishes, an oil-free moisturiser may be worth a shot. Products with these formulas have a lighter consistency and provide a barrier to seal in moisture, rather than adding additional oils which can build up and form a noticeable layer on combination skin.
Oil-free moisturisers absorb quickly and usually contain ingredients like hydrogenated polyisobutene, trisiloxane and dimethicone – meaning they're not always silicone-free, so do double check if this is a concern.
Similarly, spot-prone skin types may also want to avoid comedogens, which are basically ingredients that are likely to block the pores. Thankfully, there are plenty of non-comedogenic moisturisers out there nowadays to help you avoid this.
The right amount of oil protects our skin from external toxic elements, but oil excess can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
Therefore, people with acne-prone skin should use products labelled as 'oil-free'. However, in most cases 'oil-free' only means that they don't include ingredients with the word 'oil' in their name.
It's important to read the ingredients list of these products because they can include substances such as glyceryl tribehenate, lanolin, petrolatum and squalene that are not named 'oil' but have an oil-like effect on the skin, which is precisely what we want to avoid.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA | ![]() | Lifesaving Moisture for Unbalanced Skin | |
2 | La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ | ![]() | The Minimalist Formula for Acne-Prone Skin | |
3 | Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 | ![]() | Perfect for Shine-Free SPF 30 Protection | |
4 | Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation™ Perfecting Moisturizer | ![]() | A Brightening, Bestselling Gel Full of Anti Oxidants | |
5 | Origins GinZing™ Oil-Free Energy Boosting Gel Moisturiser | ![]() | Zingy-Soft and Revitalised Skin With Coffee Bean Extract | |
6 | CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 | ![]() | Affordable and Effective With Niacinamide and SPF 25 | |
7 | Clinique Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Jelly | ![]() | Featherlight Oil-Free Hydration With a Unique Water-Jelly Texture | |
8 | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser | ![]() | Hyper Hydration Gel for Shine-Free, Supple Skin | |
9 | Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream | ![]() | The Best Night Cream for Maturing Combination Skin | |
10 | Liz Earle Skin Repair™ Light Cream | ![]() | Balanced Hydration Powered by Plants |
The Ordinary have gone from beauty's best-kept secret to one of the most popular cosmetics brands in the world, thanks to their clever combination of science and simplicity – without the high costs associated with quality skincare. And this moisturiser is no exception!
There are several products within their skincare range which work particularly well for combination skin with a tendency towards oiliness and acne, but when it comes to moisturiser that won't clog pores or leave skin greasy or oily, this ultra-pure, hyaluronic acid-based formula is a stand-out choice.
This is a product also aimed at oily skin, but because it works so effectively as a hydrator it can be applied to combination skin too. The key bonus with this product is that, like the rest of the French pharmacy brand's range, its minimalist formula is dermatologist-approved and hypoallergenic, which reduces any chances of pore-blocking or irritation.
With its effective ingredients claiming to improve blemish-prone complexions in four weeks, this light cream-gel hydrates skin to banish zits and keep pores minimised. Niacinamide, salicylic acid and glycerin all help to clear blackheads while boosting your skin's radiance, while zinc PCA mattifies and controls shine.
Paula's Choice really know their stuff when it comes to expert skincare. Making the most of this knowledge, this broad-spectrum SPF 30 moisturiser will finally allow combination to oily skin types to stay protected from the sun without having to pile on the shine-inducing, pore-blocking products.
As well as being fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and suitable for spot-prone skin, this supremely light fluid-lotion is packed with vitamin E and antioxidants which, teamed up with the sunscreen, will result in a healthy, youthful complexion.
Created to be suitable for all ages and all skin types, this bestselling moisturiser from Ole Henrikson's range is worthy of the hype and worth every penny! It's perfect for those after weightless hydration while leaving skin feeling supple and smooth, alongside that just-back-from-a-facial dewy glow.
Antioxidants, multi-fruit acids, licorice and pea extracts help to fade dark spots, smooth uneven texture and reduce discolouration, so this is an excellent choice for ageing skin, too. This silky, whipped lotion is also great under makeup and can be used with any other product – ideal if you're worried about clashes with active ingredients such as vitamin C or AHAs.
Second to its divine smell, the best thing about this lightweight gel moisturiser is that it rejuvenates tired skin with just a few dabs. The ingredients list for this product really is an all-star cast of skin-saving miracle cures, from youth-boosting hyaluronic acid to softening shea butter.
Additionally, Origins' Energy Boosting Gel Moisturiser has coffee bean extract and ginseng to give worn-out faces a refreshing caffeine boost, all while providing 72-hours of oil-free hydration. It's quickly absorbed, and, most important for combo skin, won't leave skin filmy or oily-looking.
Balancing effective hydration with sun protection, this SPF 25 moisturiser is hugely popular with normal to combination skin types. Sun damage is the number one enemy of youthful-looking skin, so this lightweight formula is a great pick if you want to stave off the effects of UV exposure.
As well as hydrating your skin without weighing it down, this product also contains niacinamide and 3 essential ceramides to protect its natural barrier. And last but not least, this is a non-comedogenic, dermatologist-devised formula that should keep any pesky spots at bay.
This wonderful product is like a refreshing drink for thirsty skin, but being oil-free, it's also ideal for keeping combination skin nicely balanced. By locking in moisture and protecting your complexion from environmental stressors, skin is left feeling smooth, clean and glowing like new. Yes please!
As well as effective volumes of hyaluronic acid, this super-absorbent water-jelly moisturiser also contains sunflower seed cake, barley extract and cucumber fruit extract, which are there to balance and retain moisture levels, helping skin look its freshest. Clinique's entire range is also allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free.
For a plumping boost that's almost as good as downing a litre of water before breakfast, Neutrogena's cult classic Hydroboost gel is still a spectacular choice for combination skin. Skin is left looking fresh and dehydration lines are reduced, all without heaviness or blocking the pores.
With an exceedingly light texture and no oil in sight, this top-selling product claims to keep skin hydrated all day with a system that replenishes the epidermis continuously over 24 hours. With a very long list of other ingredients though, this might not be the best pick for easily-irritated skin.
Replete with golden poppy extract, Clarins' Multi-Active Night Cream offers a solution to the fine lines and creases caused by ageing and lack of sleep. Overnight, skin is plumped without being weighed down or waking up greasy – which is often the case when you have combination skin.
This product is a little lower down the list as, while some of us do prefer separate creams for day and night, you'll have to shell out for another day cream, which will end up being pretty costly thanks to this brand's higher-end price tag.
Liz Earle's botanical cream moisturiser has a silky, lightly-whipped formula that caresses skin effortlessly and is carefully balanced to be of the optimum texture for normal-combination skin. There's added vitamin E too, a powerful antioxidant that helps to promote a healthy glow.
It's also rich in avocado oil and contains borage oil, both of which are great sources of essential fatty acids, and claims to keep skin balanced yet hydrated for 72 hours. This light cream is an upgrade on a previous formula, which, despite its plant-based nature, has not been as gentle on sensitive skin types as it previously was.
Combination skin can be unpredictable in its needs (like most skin types!), so there may be times of the year when you feel like you require something more, or less, hydrating. Well, we've got a product guide for those instances too. Bookmark the links below and you'll be golden!
Now that you've got the low-down on picking a moisturiser that softens skin without leaving it oily, we're sure you'll be able to find yourself the most effective product for your skin's needs.
And using our countdown, you can compare the benefits and drawbacks of all the best-loved products online, and choose one that brings a dewy glow to your skin that radiates from the inside out.
Author: Annie Hopkins
No. 1: The Ordinary|Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
No. 2: La Roche Posay|Effaclar Duo+
No. 3: Paula's Choice|Skin Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30
No. 4: Ole Henriksen|Sheer Transformation™ Perfecting Moisturizer
No. 5: Origins|GinZing™ Oil-Free Energy Boosting Gel Moisturiser
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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